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Compass Hill

A grassy hill above Canna harbour, reached by a woodland path, whose magnetic rocks play havoc with compass readings.

Welcome

Compass Hill rises over the east end of Canna, a grassy summit ringed by crags of dark columnar rock, with cliffs dropping to the sea on its north side.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Its name comes from its magnetic rocks, which play havoc with compass readings. From the top the whole harbour lies below, with Sanday, the bridge and the white cottages round the bay, and the mountains of Rum stand across the water.

The way up begins on Saturnino's Path. It starts from the Canna House garden or the community shop and runs on a narrow path through woodland carpeted, by season, with snowdrops, wild garlic, bluebells and ferns, then up the fields beside a fence and past the radio mast to the high point. Or come the long way, along the north cliffs.

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The Daily for 6 November, from Scotland with love. An avenue of tall beech trees frames a leaf-strewn path in autumn light.
Before you go

Saturnino's Path starts from the Canna House garden or the community shop and runs through woodland to the fields, then up beside a fence and past the radio mast to the top: an hour or two in all.

For an easier walk, a track by Coroghon Barn leads from the fields back to the road.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Mallaig; day trips on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April to October. No visitor vehicles.
Start
Canna House garden, or the path from the shop.
Way
Saturnino's Path, then up past the radio mast.

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Did you know

Sheep graze grassy slopes below a flat-topped hill on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

It moves the needle.

Compass Hill is named for its magnetic rocks, which play havoc with compass readings, so take care navigating by one here.

A dry stone wall runs down a grassy slope above a sheltered bay dotted with small islands on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

A woodland of flowers.

Saturnino's Path runs through woodland carpeted, season by season, with snowdrops, wild garlic, bluebells and ferns.

Layered rock strata form a sunlit cliff face on the Isle of Canna, hills visible across the water.
Did you know

Not the highest.

For all its view, Compass Hill is not Canna's summit: that is Carn a' Ghaill on the north cliffs, at 210 metres.

Farm buildings sit beside a sheltered bay ringed by grassy headlands on the Isle of Canna.
Did you know

Five miles by one.

From the top you see much of an island only five miles long and a mile wide, which holds more than 1,000 sites of historic interest.

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Where it is

Above Coroghon, the east end of Canna.

Close byAbove Canna harbour.
  1. Coroghon CastleCoroghon CastleA ruined fort on a rock stack above Canna harbour, where Marion MacLeod is said to have been imprisoned.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Coroghon BeachCoroghon BeachA quiet beach of black volcanic sand below the old barn at Coroghon on Canna harbour, with a snorkel trail in the bay.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Canna Community ShopCanna Community ShopAn honesty shop a short walk from Canna pier, with island crafts, gifts and groceries.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Café CannaCafé CannaAn award-winning little restaurant and bar by Canna harbour, cooking almost entirely from the island and its waters.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. Canna Rhu ChurchCanna Rhu ChurchThe Presbyterian church of 1911 by Canna harbour, built to an Irish design with a round tower, known as the Rocket Church.Under a mile 2 min by road
  6. St Columba’s ChurchSt Columba’s ChurchA small stone chapel on Canna's harbour road, with a white cross on its gable, that served as the shop and post office until 1965.Under a mile 3 min by road
Directions
Gravel path curves through green fields towards mist-covered mountain peaksGlenbrittleGlenbrittle CampsitePlace to stay · 0.2 miles
St Edward's on the top of Sanday above a frosted track, hills behind.AttractionsSt Edward’s Church0.5 miles
A white lighthouse tower with a stairway stands on a grassy headland on the Isle of Canna, mountains rising behind.AttractionsSanday0.5 miles
AttractionsThe Sculptured Cross of A’Chill0.6 miles
AttractionsThe Punishment Stone0.6 miles
A souterrain opening in the turf, edged and roofed with pale stones.AttractionsSouterrains0.9 miles
Grassy headland with a stony path leading towards rocky sea cliffsAttractionsKing of Norway’s Grave0.9 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the hill, and when each is next free.

Gravel path curves through green fields towards mist-covered mountain peaksGlenbrittle Campsite
  • To stay
  • In Glenbrittle
  • 12 miles from Compass Hill
Check datesCoruisk House's white harled exterior shows dormer windows and clustered chimneys against a grey sky.Coruisk House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Elgol
  • 16 miles from Compass Hill
Check datesLong timber-clad building with a dark metal roof and red-framed windowsSkyewalker Hostel
  • Sleeps 27
  • In Portnalong
  • 18 miles from Compass Hill
Check datesWood-burning stove alight beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a hillside pathSligachan Blackhouses
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Sligachan
  • 19 miles from Compass Hill
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Small IslesAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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What we have written about it and more in Small Isles.

From the magazineChasing the Night
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .